10 Narrative Songs that Tell a Full Story

Summary

In this video, the speaker explores how songs can tell full, narrative stories across various literary genres. From science fiction and mythology to westerns and crime, the speaker provides 10 unique song recommendations, each representing a different genre. The analysis focuses on how these songs utilize prose rather than pure poetry to tell their stories. The speaker also shares a personal anecdote about discovering a piece of music by their grandmother, ending with a creative narrative titled 'The Outlander Merchant,' showcasing their own lyrical storytelling abilities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The script explores songs with narrative lyrics, categorizing them by literary genres instead of musical genres.
• 😀 The speaker emphasizes that while most song lyrics are poetic, some songs shift towards prose, creating full narrative arcs with characters and storylines.
• 😀 The speaker offers 10 music recommendations that match various literary genres, such as sci-fi, comedy, and fantasy.
• 😀 The first recommendation, '39' by Queen, fits into the sci-fi genre due to its astrophysical themes and scientifically accurate portrayal of space travel.
• 😀 Tim Minchin's 'Rock and Roll Nerd' is categorized as comedy, offering a sarcastic and self-aware take on society, similar to Tina Fey's 'Bossypants.'
• 😀 'Rocky Raccoon' by The Beatles is a western-style song with a narrative about heartbreak, saloon fights, and a full character-driven story.
• 😀 'The Song of Scheherazade' by Renaissance draws from mythology, telling the timeless tale of Scheherazade with emotional depth and poetic elements.
• 😀 KISS's 'Music from the Elder' is an obscure fantasy album that tells a full hero’s journey, with a selected song representing a pivotal scene.
• 😀 Prokofiev’s 'Peter and the Wolf' is a musical story designed for children, using instruments to represent different characters and teach about the orchestra.
• 😀 Queen's 'The Prophet’s Song' fits into Lovecraftian horror, exploring the madness of a prophet whose warnings of destruction are ignored.
• 😀 Bob Dylan's 'Hurricane' is a song that combines crime and social injustice, telling the story of a man wrongfully imprisoned, and stands as a narrative on its own.
• 😀 Masayoshi Takanaka’s 'Rainbow Goblins' takes inspiration from a children's picture book, creating a musical adaptation of a whimsical and magical story.
• 😀 Gorillaz's 'Fire Coming Out of a Monkey’s Head' is a dark fairy tale exploring a disturbing, haunting story of a happy folk turned tragic.
• 😀 The speaker shares a personal creative experiment, where they write an original story about an outlander merchant selling a magical potion in a village.
• 😀 The speaker invites viewers to explore narrative music, encouraging creativity by connecting music with literary genres to tell powerful stories.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the video?

The video explores songs that tell full narratives through their lyrics, comparing them to literary genres. The host categorizes the songs by their storytelling style, which uses prose and poetry.

Why does the host emphasize not analyzing songs by musical genre?

The host focuses on analyzing the lyrics of the songs through the lens of literary genres, rather than by their musical style, in order to explore how songs tell stories in different narrative forms.

What literary genre is linked with the song '39 by Queen'?

'39 by Queen' is connected to the science fiction genre. The song's lyrics reflect a scientifically accurate take on space travel, written by Brian May, who holds a PhD in astrophysics.

Which song represents the comedy genre and what is its style?

'Rock and Roll Nerd by Tim Minchin' represents the comedy genre. The song offers sarcastic commentary on society and current events, blending humor with a bit of anxiety, making listeners reflect on their own place in the world.

What makes 'Rocky Raccoon' by The Beatles fit into the Western genre?

'Rocky Raccoon' fits the Western genre because it tells a full Western narrative with typical elements like heartbreak, saloon fights, and a classic hero's journey, albeit in a playful Beatles style.

Why is 'The Song of Scheherazade by Renaissance' categorized under mythology?

'The Song of Scheherazade by Renaissance' is a retelling of the myth of Scheherazade. It explores themes of storytelling and fate, blending poetry and mythology in a way that mirrors ancient epic narratives.

What is significant about the album 'Music from the Elder' by KISS in the context of fantasy?

'Music from the Elder' by KISS is a fantasy concept album, and one of its songs, 'The Oath,' embodies a hero's journey within a fantastical world. The album is considered obscure but is celebrated for its imaginative narrative.

How does 'Peter and the Wolf' by Prokofiev fit into children's literature?

'Peter and the Wolf' by Prokofiev is a musical piece that teaches children about the different instruments of the orchestra. Each character is represented by a different instrument, making it an engaging way for kids to learn while enjoying a story.

What genre does 'The Prophet's Song by Queen' represent, and why is it associated with H.P. Lovecraft?

'The Prophet's Song by Queen' is associated with the horror genre, specifically Lovecraftian horror, because it delves into themes of madness, prophecy, and destruction. The middle section of the song features a powerful depiction of insanity, reminiscent of Lovecraft's works.

What crime story is referenced with the song 'Hurricane' by Bob Dylan?

'Hurricane' by Bob Dylan tells the story of Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, a boxer wrongfully imprisoned for a crime he didn't commit. The song highlights themes of social injustice, crime, and the impact of systemic flaws in society.

How does 'Rainbow Goblins' by Masayoshi Takanaka fit into the fairy tale genre?

'Rainbow Goblins' by Masayoshi Takanaka is a musical adaptation of a children's picture book. It tells the story of magical goblins who steal the colors of the rainbow, fitting into the fairy tale genre with its whimsical, imaginative narrative.

What dark fairy tale elements are found in 'Fire Coming Out of a Monkey’s Head' by Gorillaz?

'Fire Coming Out of a Monkey’s Head' by Gorillaz is a dark fairy tale that tells the story of a utopian society’s downfall. The song features eerie and tragic elements, reminiscent of grim fairy tales like the original, darker versions of 'Cinderella' or 'Pied Piper of Hamelin.'